Medical consultants like peacocks – HSE official

A LEADING health official has described some medical consultants as “peacocks who walk around with their heads in the air”, after it emerged over €9 million was outstanding to hospitals because forms had not been filled out by the doctors.

Cllr Pádraig Conneely (FG), chairman of the HSE West Health Forum, said €9.2 million could not be collected by two Galway hospitals because consultants had not filled out insurance forms. The money is due to University College Hospital and Merlin Park Hospital from patients who had private health insurance cover.

“Is it because these consultants are too busy in their private practices that they can’t be bothered to fill out the forms?” he asked.